Jin Xuanwan was eyeing the large gate of White Tiger Mansion. She lied flat on Fenghu's head while the tiger kept its place midair. Her perseverance didn't fail her. The door opened and she saw the same hooded Shen Mo. She tapped Fenghu to wake him up. Shen Mo was oblivious of the insistent stalking. He lowered his hood and hid his face as he disappeared. For others, he just vanished without a trace. But with Fenghu's sharp eyes, he saw how fast Shen Mo dashed from the crowds of people. Fenghu didn't lose from his speed and followed Shen Mo to a hilltop where an old and serene shrine stood, probably for thousands of years due to its dilapidated touch.
Shen Mo entered the shrine on his own. No monk or priest came up to greet him, seemingly as if the shrine has been abandoned. Jin Xuanwan urged Fenghu to get closer but the tiger is hesitant.
"What's wrong?" She frowned because of Fenghu's strange behavior.
"Princess, the shrine emits a powerful spiritual aura. It's not a normal place. Maybe an ancient guardian is protecting it. Someone stronger than me, let us assume it is on the same level as the Holy Priestess' weakest spirit beast."
"Oh." Jin Xuanwan knew how strong the weakest spirit beast the Holy Priestess has. It is twice Fenghu's real power. "No matter, continue stalking him."
The shrine is simple outside but when Jin Xuanwan and Fenghu entered, they saw an opened coffin in the middle that is shining in its depth. Upon overlooking the coffin, they found out it connects to a small realm filled with graves. Fenghu also felt greater danger inside that he can't even stick his paw on the open surface.
"Fenghu, you're not coming?" She turned to the tiger that wanders the empty hall. Fenghu rarely shows this disinterested side of his. Jin Xuanwan finds it strange.
"Your Highness, there is danger in that graveyard." Fenghu lowered his head in fear.
Still, Jin Xuanwan is reluctant to leave. She likes discovering things and danger keeps her lively. She was locked up in the Golden Dragon Realm ever since her birth. Now that she was permitted to explore the real world, she can't lose this chance to discover more.
Shen Mo walked past the tombs of the Bai Family's ancestors. This small realm was created by the founder of the Four Constellations. Each of them has their own ancestral grave locked in a limited space devoid of time. Thus, every dead body in this realm is well-preserved as if their souls are still intact and they are only in deep slumber.
Finally, he reached the unique tomb placed at the very edge of the realm. The crystal coffin stayed there for years, protecting the corpse of Bai Muyan. Shen Mo raised his hand and an incense materialized. The edge burnt as he stuck it on an incense burner by the side. He silently prayed in respect, not knowing a large green snake rose behind him. It opened its mouth to bare its fangs without hissing.
Hiss!
The snake tried to bite but Shen Mo quickly pulled its fangs off, he didn't even move from his spot. He opened his eyes before catching the snake. His sharp gaze landed on the woman dressed in green robes. She is astoundingly fair with a sly demeanor emitting from her slim phoenix eyes. Her lips were painted a bit in light green that matched her emerald irises.
"Oh, it's Poison Widow Lady Lan." Shen Mo tossed the snake in front of her. He brushed his hands to keep off the dust and added, "I was just visiting your husband, which is, my old friend."
"You are?" Lan Xishi was stunned he recognized her. She narrowed her eyes and saw through his hood. "You are not Wu Patriarch."
"Sorry about that. I just masked my face." Shen Mo took the mask off him and his original appearance came back.
Lan Xishi calmed. She decided to leave but an invisible force blocked her way. She looked at Shen Mo in contempt, knowing he used the Law of Space to control the realm.
"Wu Patriarch, I only wanted to visit Muyan. If you are curious about his death, it was my father's intent, not mine nor did I participate."
"It wasn't about that. I wanted to ask, why did you leave your son?" Shen Mo placed his mask and appeared in front of her.
"Isn't it obvious? I can't bring him with me. My whole life is full of strife ever since you humiliated Azure Dragon Clan. I was regarded as a traitor by my own family, I was seen as a vile woman in Wu. He can't live well if he is always with me." Lan Xishi clenched her fists. She shut her eyes tightly in grief.
Shen Mo would have been convinced if he didn't notice her space ring glow. He is vigilant but Lan Xishi is not within his priorities.
"Lady Lan, I won't hinder you because of your ties with my disciple, Bai Muchen, and my friend, Bai Muyan. However, if you get yourself into grave danger, I won't give consent to Bai Muchen to save you."
Upon hearing his warning, Lan Xishi understood he knew something amiss. She secretly gritted her teeth and appeared aggrieved outside.
"Traitor!"
Out of nowhere, they heard a loud shout from a girl and a murderous intent was directed to Lan Xishi. Shen Mo and Lan Xishi are able to avoid the deadly strike. When the clouds of dust settled, Shen Mo saw the familiar girl he met at the border. It was no other than Jin Xuanwan.
"Traitor, surrender, or I will bring your head to the Holy Priestess!" Jin Xuanwan raised the Jian sword she used to crush the durable pavement and pointed it to Lan Xishi.
"Damn it! A Golden Dragon Realm descendant!" Lan Xishi thought. She waved her willow green sleeve and a swarm of gu emerged to attack Jin Xuanwan.
"These ladies... They are so barbaric nowadays..." Shen Mo reckoned to himself.
Someone just shouted in accusation and now they wanted to turn this sanctuary to rubles? Not under his watch!
Jin Xuanwan lashed the sword that created a bright wave of qi and burnt the gu insects to ashes. She is about to strike Lan Xishi again but the other lady attacked her too with poison darts. Just as they are about to face each other head-on, Shen Mo intervened. He controlled the realm that made them freeze midair.
"What is this guy up to?!" Jin Xuanwan thought and tried to move but all she did was tremble for a moment.
Shen Mo snatched Jin Xuanwan's sword and picked the poison darts Lan Xishi threw. In a sudden, strings of skyblue energy emerged from the ground and held them both like puppets. A little fairy-like spirit showed up next to Shen Mo. An oppressive aura spreads in the realm that Lan Xishi and Jin Xuanwan felt extreme threat to their life.
"Very kind of you to help out, Shen Mo." The ancient spirit spoke in a feathery soft tone. She moved her and the two were secured by the binds. "Azure Dragon Clan, Golden Dragon Realm, to what do White Tiger Mansion owe you that you almost destroyed this graveyard?"
"Golden Dragon Realm? You mean this brat?" Shen Mo pointed at Jin Xuanwan in disbelief. It was his first time to see a remnant of the mysterious Fifth Guardian of the Center.
"Who are you calling a brat?! I'm older than you!" Jin Xuanwan shouted. She paused after realizing she can move her mouth.
"Oh please, don't make a joke of yourself. You don't know Wu." Lan Xishi said and rolled her eyes.
This caused Jin Xuanwan to glare at her. She tried to struggle from the binds but it was hopeless.
"Shameless backstabber. Where is the hybrid the Holy Priestess owns?" Jin Xuanwan is reckless enough to interrogate Lan Xishi and spilled some information to outsiders. Her heart is filled with rage after seeing Lan Xishi once more.
Lan Xishi didn't speak. Rather, her gaze drifted to Shen Mo. She closed her eyes and smiled lightly. "Even if you torment me, I will never tell."
"You!"
"Silence!" The ancient spirit was annoyed the whole realm shook. They both became silent and the spirit said, "Both of you are unwelcomed in this graveyard. If not for my belief in Shen Mo's skills, I wouldn't have bothered to come out. However, the two of you have disrespected the hundreds of ancestors in this realm. I, as their guardian, am obliged to take your lives."
Their eyes widened, learning they cannot stop their death. The binds tightened and intend to break them apart.
"Muchen..." Lan Xishi murmured that name with tears strolling from her cheeks. She closed her eyes, submitting to her fate. "Muchen, I... I want to see you."
"Damn it! Fenghu! Ahn!!!" Jin Xuanwan screamed in pain. She can almost see her whole life flashing back and she is helpless to do anything other than recall every moment.
Fenghu roared from afar and sped up to rescue Jin Xuanwan. He is ready to risk his life to save his master but the realm shook and pressured him. His wings broke as he fell to the ground. He can't stand easily due to the gravity holding him down.
"Fenghu..." This time, genuine tears formed at the edge of Jin Xuanwan's almond eyes. Her heart shattered to see him desperately trying to stand, even if his seven orifices are bleeding. "Fenghu! No!"
"Princess, Fenghu will save you! No matter what!"
The tiger roared like a feral beast he is. The ancient spirit was stunned when Fenghu broke through the gravitating area. He rushed further to save the weakening Jin Xuanwan but his bravery was like a weak amber doused with storming raindrops. The ancient spirit pressured him again.
Bam!
Fenghu was suppressed, his whole body injured severely. Their death became more evident. Jin Xuanwan lost consciousness from too much pain but Lan Xishi can still endure a bit more.
"Xian Bai, enough."
A gentle magnetic voice commanded unhurriedly. Lan Xishi recognized that voice, it was Shen Mo. One demand from him, the ancient spirit retrieved its deadly grip. Lan Xishi and Jin Xuanwan fell limply on the ground. She is able to catch her breath but Jin Xuanwan is unable to wake up. Fenghu also looked up in astonishment.
"That moved me. I'm not that devious anymore after a thousand years." Shen Mo smiled and hang the Jian sword by his waistband. He effortlessly carried Jin Xuanwan before tossing a medicinal pill to Lan Xishi. "Lady Lan, I thought you won't care for Bai Muchen. Spirit beast Fenghu, you are a very loyal familiar. This girl is lucky to have you. Xian Bai, can you spare them for me?"
Xian Bai scoffed and turned her back to leave. "Only today."
"Many thanks." He responded in gratitude. Shen Mo strode closer to Fenghu to help him too. "I heard a lot so, I wanted to know more."
Fenghu weakly remained in his place but Shen Mo healed him in one touch. He looked at Shen Mo in appreciation.
"We are indeed from the Golden Dragon Realm. The Lady Lan you said is my master's senior sister. She betrayed us by fleeing our realm with the hybrid spirit beast our Golden Dragon Realm has been protecting." Fenghu eyed at Lan Xishi in animosity. He can still recall vividly how she killed those who trusted her.
"Lady Lan, where is the spirit beast?" Shen Mo decided to settle their feud.
"I don't know. I lost it, but it looks like Fenghu. The only difference is that the hybrid can shapeshift from a winged white tiger, red phoenix, azure dragon, black tortoise, and a golden dragon. I assume you already found it." Lan Xishi slyly said.
It occurred in Shen Mo's mind, the pet his disciple is keeping, Mimi.